# Intro **8lends** is a decentralized crowdlending platform designed to bridge the gap between traditional lending and decentralized finance (DeFi). Our mission is to revolutionize the crowdlending market by integrating blockchain technology, providing a secure, transparent, and efficient platform for both investors and borrowers. By leveraging real-world assets (RWA) as collateral and incorporating comprehensive insurance mechanisms, 8lends offers a new standard in investment security and transparency. 8lends is a subsidiary of [**Maclear AG**](https://www.maclear.ch/), a well-established Swiss-based Web2 crowd lending business lending platform. The connection with Maclear provides 8lends with a robust foundation built on extensive experience in finance, lending, due diligence, and fintech. 8lends is a decentralized crowdlending platform leveraging blockchain to connect borrowers and investors. By supporting projects in production, agriculture, retail, logistics, it democratizes access to funding and investments. Cutting out traditional intermediaries, 8lends reduces costs, ensures transparency, and enhances security for a broader audience. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://8lends.gitbook.io/eightlends/intro.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.